At this time...

At this time last year,
I was innocently going about my business. My planner for August 28, 2008, says Mother's Day Out for Carter, staff wives dinner at 6:30 pm, make grocery list...normal, everyday things. I never suspected for one minute that I had a new little life growing inside of me, but I did! What different plans God has for us than we have for ourselves. And aren't you so glad He does? Who wants a life where the most exciting thing that ever happens to you is something you planned to happen? Not me! I want things to happen to me that are so much bigger, so much better, so much more exciting than I could ever imagine. That's one of the many reasons I choose to let God guide me through my days, through my decisions, and through my fears. Here are 2 of the blessings that only God could have created and chosen just for me!

At this time last week,
I was bike riding with our family. Marley stayed with Shelly and Hannah since she's too little to ride bikes. We had a great time. London took a 3 hour nap when we got home, and she wasn't even pedaling!

At this time yesterday,
I was waiting for my parents to get here for a visit. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for coming to help us watch our kids while we do wedding stuff all weekend. We know it's such a chore for you and you don't enjoy it one bit! :-)

And at this time tomorrow,
we'll be celebrating the marriage of our friends, Chris and Leisha!

3 months old

Marley is 3 months old today! Everyone always talks about how they grow up so fast, but honestly, I can't remember my life without her. It seems like she's been around so much longer than 3 months. Even before Justin and I ever had children, we knew this day would come when we would feel like our family was complete. And every time I look at her that is how I feel. I know that she is the perfect addition to our little family. God may change our minds and our desires down the road, but for now we're enjoying our perfect family of 5.

You know how as soon as you tell someone how good your baby is, that's when she's going to act up? That's what happened tonight! We're always saying how Marley is so easy, she never cries, etc. So then we had some friends over for dinner and the second we sat down to eat she started crying inconsolably! I held her, swaddled her, tried to feed her...nothing worked until I gave her some Mylicon! Yay for Mylicon! :-)

Here are some fun pictures of her from this month:

in her swing at Granna and PawPaw Jerry's

hanging out with Bear at Nana and Papaw's


escaping from her swaddling blanket and her sleep positioner!


getting sleepy at the children's museum


precious baby girl

A Big Week

We've had an exciting week so far! On Saturday, Justin, Carter, and Wes went to the Rangers game. It was Carter's first time to go, and they all had a great time. Some good friends had given them tickets, and then ended up switching places with them later. Here they are in their original seats:

And here is their view from 11 rows behind the dugout after they switched seats with our friends. Thank you, Preston and Liz, for a great time!

On Sunday, it was Big Church Day for Carter. He received a Big Church bag and a new Bible. He'll be attending big church with us from now on! He already goes with us, and he does GREAT. I'm so proud of him. We tried to bring London with us a few weeks ago too, but she didn't do quite as well...Justin ended up walking out with her after the millionth time she asked for a snack! :-) But she is only two, so we'll give her a few more years. Here is Carter with his new Bible:

On Monday, one of our good friends from college came by with her 3 kiddos. Rachel had Lizzie first and then the twins 13 months later! They were only able to stay for a couple hours, but we were so glad to see them. I completely forgot to take pictures while they were here, but this is a picture of when we got them all together in May 2008:

Yesterday was Carter and London's first day of school! They're both going two days a week. Carter has been before, but this was London's first day ever. They both loved their teachers and had a great time. Look how cute they were!

And last, but definitely not least, our little soccer player! Notice how she's kicking so much that her little bloomers are coming down! You can hear Justin in the background reading The Cat in the Hat to the other kids.

And the week isn't over yet! I have to go finish getting my house ready, because we're having the new 12th graders over tonight. Happy Wednesday!

Tomorning

This is a word that London uses (a cross between tomorrow and morning). It's a pretty good word, don't you think? Maybe I should contact Webster's...

Road trip

Last week we took a trip to visit my family and Justin's family. Our kids are very good travelers, thanks to portable DVD players we only let them watch when we're going on a long trip. The drive is about 4 hours, and they all did great. Like I said in my last post, we went to meet our new nephew, Grayson. Here he is with Marley:

And here are all 3 babies lined up in a row. So cute! (L to R, Hannah, Grayson, Marley) It was chaotic but so much fun! I can't wait to have them all together again for Thanksgiving.

Wes took a lot of other pictures of everyone in their turquoise outfits, and you can see more of them on Shelly's blog.

After we left my parents' house, we made the 30 minute drive over to Justin's parents' house. Soon after we arrived, there was a knock on the door. Look who it was!

Justin's parents live in a regular neighborhood, but someone was visiting across the street with a miniature horse! They wanted to show the kids, and Carter and London LOVED it. Carter fed him grass out of his hand.

Bob and Judy also have a great pool in their backyard, and we all had a fun time playing in it!

Carter trying out his goggles

Aunt Michele and cousin Mallory in the hot tub


All the cousins lined up
(notice Justin's hands holding Marley from behind!)


Marley really enjoyed being outside some too, but in this picture she was telling me to put the camera down and feed her!


Here she is being held by big cousin, Morgan. Much happier with a full tummy...

It was a great trip and a fun time with our extended families. We love you guys!

Cousins

This weekend we got all the new cousins together for the first time. My sister's baby, Hannah, my brother's baby, Grayson, and my baby, Marley, were all born within an eleven week time period. So fun! We all went to my parents' house so that we could meet the newest addition. Here are some pictures of the fun.

Marley, Grayson, and Hannah

London, Marley, Grayson, Hannah, and Carter

I'll post lots more pictures from the photo shoot later!